Album Review

Twenty-Six gorgeous tracks from Walter Hawkins & the Hawkins Family appear on this wonderful double-disc set, each CD containing 13 songs. As with the work of older brother Edwin Hawkins the family here combines inspiration with soaring pop power that is both relentless and irresistible. "Changed" is swimming in a sea of vocals and rhythm, a mood changing event that starts off this journey through Hawkins extensive catalog of music. Outside of a cover of Jessy Dixon's "God Is Standing By," Edwin Hawkins' "What Is This?" and a co-write between the brothers, "I Love You Lord," the other 23 tracks are composed solely by Walter. There are many standouts and the sounds shift from song to song with a perfect balance of Christianity and pop sensibilities that never get in the way of each other. Just listen to the show-stopping "Goin' Up Yonder" and see if you aren't pulled into another dimension by the performance's depth and majesty. As Doris Troy's Rainbow Testament effectively fused pop and gospel, this best-of collection, neatly compiled by Mick Lloyd, delivers a satisfying overview of Bishop Hawkins' work, praising the higher power while entertaining and motivating.

Biography

Born: 18 May 1949 in Oakland, CA

Genre: Inspirational

Years Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s

The younger brother of gospel vocalist and choir director Edwin Hawkins, Bishop Walter Hawkins was one of gospel's most successful performers. The leader of the Love Center Choir, Hawkins led the group to two Dove Awards, presented by the Gospel Music Association, and multiple Grammy nominations. The group's debut album, Going Up Yonder, released in 1975, spent several months on the Top 40 gospel chart compiled by Billboard. Their second album, Love Alive II, sold nearly 300,000 copies. This was...